It’s not difficult to demonstrate that a slogan is not a principle. All you have to do is find one exception to its assertion. For example. The HOP slogan ‘Context Drive Behaviour’ is clearly false, just as ‘Blame Fixes Nothing’ is false.

Try this:

Basic truths are called principles. Principles are defined as a list of fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behaviors. (Conklin (2019) 5 Principles of Human Performance. P.8)

So, even by Conklin’s own definition, neither ‘Context Drive Behaviour’ or ‘Blame Fixes Nothing’ are basically true.

We know from previous discussions that blame fixes many things (https://safetyrisk.net/the-myth-of-shifting-blame-from-individuals-to-systems/; https://safetyrisk.net/the-pcbu-the-law-blame-reality-and-the-con/) and we know that many things like: the human genome, instinct, heredity factors, belief-faith give volition to act (motivational drives) well before any sense of context.

So, if something is NOT a basic truth, it is not a principle but a slogan. Yet, we see the constant repetition of these slogans all across safety industry as if they are principles. Such is the ‘Lemming Factor’ in safety. Don’t challenge a guru (https://safetyrisk.net/believe-me-im-a-safety-guru/).

Moreso, without a firm foundation in Ethics and Moral Philosophy, it’s not likely that one is going to know the difference between a principle or a slogan (https://safetyrisk.net/slogans-and-principles-its-just-semantics-right/; https://safetyrisk.net/what-principles-guide-your-safety-ethic/ ). And, why would it matter when one is selling a product anyway?

How interesting, HOP has no clear ‘system of beliefs’ or methodology, so how can it have methods that emerge from a ‘system of beliefs’ when they are not articulated? This would also require a clearly articulated ethic. In many ways, the real principles of HOP are hidden in the semiotics and semiosis in key images eg. that thinking is ‘brain work’.

Yet, if one wants to claim the word ‘professional’ it might be helpful to get a few foundations on Ethics in place (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/the-ethics-of-risk/).  Understanding Ethics is the foundation for professionalism. If one wants to claim the word ‘professional’ then understanding what principles are, is foundational to professional enaction. This is why other safety slogans like ‘safety is a choice you make’ and ‘all accidents are preventable’ are unethical. This is why the ideology of Zero is unethical (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/zero-the-great-safety-delusion/).

If your slogans and safety beliefs (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-beliefs/ ) lead to the dehumanisation of persons, then whatever you are doing in safety, it’s NOT professional.